A recent study by the U.S. Department of Agriculture
supports the claims of civic boosters who for years have promoted Haines as home to a
large number of artists.
The study of U.S. counties based on 2000 census figures ranked Haines
first among isolated, rural communities for per capita population employed in the arts.
More than 4 percent of the population of the Haines Borough was
employed in the arts, according to the study, while very few counties in the entire nation
have more than 2 percent employment in arts.
Occupations categorized as "arts" for census data are fairly
inclusive, and include "art and design workers," and "entertainers and
performers, sports, and related workers."
An abstract of the study, published in the U.S. Department of
Agriculture’s online journal "Amber Waves," says arts communities,
traditionally associated with urban areas such as New York City and San Francisco, have
recently experienced the most rapid growth in rural areas.
The study’s authors conclude that "what appears to matter
most is the opportunity for a high quality of life" when determining the
concentration of artists in a community. Quality of life is difficult to quantify, but
natural amenities might attract and keep this traditionally highly educated demographic,
the authors said.
Weaver and glass artist Sharon Svenson said the statistics don’t
surprise her. "There are a lot of creative people here. Artists seem to live in
beautiful places."
Svenson was raised in Haines and returned here as an adult. She said
the town continues to attract new artists for several reasons, including its landscape and
residents.
John and Theresa DeRosa moved to Haines from Pennsylvania this fall.
Both clay artists, the DeRosas said they were drawn to Haines for its proximity to the
outdoors, the "magnificent beauty," and because of the welcoming, productive
arts community. "It seems as if everyone has their hands in art," said John
DeRosa.
Originally from New York, DeRosa said the percentage of artists per
capita in Haines seemed high, "almost in a silly way. One of the kids who came to
help empty our container was working with a local artist. We went to a dinner
party…and nearly everyone there was an artist."
DeRosa said he attributed some of his perception to their chosen
circles in Haines, but said nevertheless, "the percentage feels very high."
Deborah Marshall, Alaska Arts Confluence board member, said
Haines’ reputation as an arts enclave was well-deserved and had become recognized in
recent years. The Arts Confluence estimates the valley is currently home to about 50
full-time artists.
Marshall said the Arts Confluence, a non-profit whose mission includes
supporting the work of local artists, was working to promote Haines as an arts destination
"to the independent traveler and also as a regional attraction."
The newly formed group organized "The Ides of Art" event last
Spring, which featured live theatre and concert performances, workshops with local
artists, and tours of local galleries. Marshall said another such event was planned for
late March 2008.
Other activities in support of the arts include finding studio space
for the arts, working on collaborative marketing efforts with the Haines Borough Tourism
Advisory Board, and developing a website for the arts in Haines.
Marshall said there was an important link between tourism and markets
for artists. "(Haines will be) a destination location for people interested in what
artists have to offer."
She agreed with the Department of Agriculture study’s conclusion
that history and historic places were an important draw for arts communities. She said the
long tradition of Tlingit art in the Chilkat Valley was integral to its continued
reputation as an arts haven.
"Artists have been living in the valley for millennia," she
said. "It has long been an attractive place to artists, and present day artists take
inspiration from the history of arts in the valley."
The graduation of 25 artisans from a University of Alaska certification
program last month and the building of the Jilkaat Kwaan Heritage Center attest to a
recent increase in traditional Tlingit arts practitioners, as well.
According to Lani Hotch, who presided over the graduation ceremony,
recognizing the relationship between tourism and cultural arts earned the village of
Klukwan over $356,000 in competitive social and economic development grants for the
program, indicating that arts are viewed nationally as an economic resource.
The Department of Agriculture study, "The Emergence of Rural
Artistic Havens: A First Look," was authored by Timothy Wojan, a regional economist,
David McGranahan, senior economist at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic
Research service, and Dayton Lambert, a professor of Economics at the University of
Tennessee. Full text of the article is available online at the "Amber Waves"
website.
